Method and apparatus for cleaning consumable drink and food containers

ABSTRACT

A cleaning apparatus configured to clean a consumable drink or food container includes a handle portion, a bristle base, and a plurality of bristles. The handle portion, which is generally cylindraceous, includes a first end, a second end, a grip, and an end portion. The grip is positioned proximate to the first end and comprises a gripping feature. The gripping feature is configured to facilitate gripping of the cleaning apparatus by a user. The end portion is positioned proximate to the second end and includes an attachment structure. The attachment structure is configured to enable attachment of the cleaning apparatus to an accessory. The bristle base is capable of being positioned adjacent to the first end of the handle portion. The plurality of bristles are attached to and project outwardly from the bristle base.

PRIORITY

This application is a divisional of U.S. Non-Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 11/833,477, entitled “Method and Apparatus forCleaning Consumable Drink and Food Containers,” filed Aug. 3, 2007, thedisclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein, and whichclaims priority from the disclosure of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/822,315, entitled “Method and Apparatus forCleaning Consumable Drink and Food Containers,” filed Aug. 14, 2006, thedisclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and device thatmay be used to clean and/or sanitize an outer surface of the portion ofa can or other drink or food container that will be opened and, morespecifically, to a portable container cleaning apparatus for use with orwithout a sanitizing additive (e.g., chlorine, ethyl alcohol, etc.).Applying multiple soft bristles at the tip of an exemplary apparatus,used with or without sanitizing agents, a can/container may be cleanedand/or sanitized of certain hazardous and/or noxious materials and willbe safe for consumption. As used herein, the term “sanitized” is notintended to be limited to a level of cleanliness amounting to“sterilized,” and should be read to include situations where a containeris generally cleaner in some degree after use of embodiments of theapparatus disclosed herein than the container was before use of suchembodiments.

Drink and food containers, such as cans, bottles, jars, Asepticpackages/pouches, etc. may sometimes be sanitized for consumers at thepoint of production and processing. In particular, metal packaging mayprovide an appreciable degree of protection from outside contaminantsentering into a drink or food container. Once shipped from theproduction point and into storage and ultimately the consumer supplychain, some of the sanitation processes and procedures may be at risk insome circumstances, such as those related to the condition of theoutside of such containers. Specifically, and for purposes ofillustration only, beverage cans that have had the exterior of the topof the sealed can exposed in storage or in retail environments may, insome situations, have had contact with a multitude of contaminants andtoxins found in such open environments, including pesticides, solvents,detergents, dust, and/or other caustic and dangerous or otherwiseundesirable elements.

While a variety of devices and methods have been made and used to cleana portion of a container, it is believed that no one prior to theinventors has made or used a device or method as recited in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate versions of the invention, and,together with the general description of the invention given above, andthe detailed description of the versions given below, serve to explainthe principles of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary cleaning apparatus and acontainer.

FIG. 2 is an end view of an exemplary cleaning apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a partial side view of an alternate embodiment of a cleaningapparatus.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of a cleaningapparatus.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of a cleaning apparatuswith bristles that are retractable within a handle portion.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of acleaning apparatus, revealing an internal screw mechanism configured toretract/extend a bristle base and bristles.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a cleaningapparatus comprising an internal slide mechanism configured toretract/extend a bristle base and bristles.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a cleaningapparatus comprising an internal spring mechanism configured toretract/extend a bristle base and bristles.

FIG. 9 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of a cleaning apparatuscomprising an interior reservoir containing a cleaning agent.

FIG. 10 is a partial side view of an alternate embodiment of a cleaningapparatus comprising an interior reservoir containing a cleaning agent.

FIG. 11 is a partial side view of an alternate embodiment of a cleaningapparatus comprising a cleaning member positioned within bristles.

FIG. 12 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of a cleaningapparatus comprising a cleaning member.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a cleaningapparatus comprising a housing with an opening to expose bristles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbe readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a readingof the following description of merely illustrative embodiments of thepresent invention when taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings.In this respect, before explaining the current embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not beregarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily beutilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods andsystems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention.It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as includingsuch equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from thespirit and scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a cleaner (10) and abeverage can (102). In the illustrated version, cleaner (10) comprises ahandle portion (20), a bristle base (25) and bristles (30). As shown,handle portion (20) comprises a grip (12), an end portion (16), and anattachment structure (18) in the form of a loop. As will be appreciated,a user may hold cleaner (10) by grip (12), and use bristles (30) toremove debris from and/or otherwise clean the top (100) of a beveragecan (102). While a standard beverage can (102) is shown and describedherein, it is contemplated that cleaner (10) may be used to clean avariety of other types of cans and containers. Still other suitable usesfor cleaner (10) will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Bristles (30) may comprise a material similar to material used inbristles for conventional toothbrushes. For instance, bristles (30) maybe generally stiff, bushy, formed of synthetic fibers, or have any othersuitable properties. It will also be appreciated that bristles (30) maycomprise a plurality of materials for a given cleaner (10). Forinstance, in one embodiment several bristles (30) are generally fibrous,with others on the same cleaner (10) being a rubber material. In anotherembodiment, all of the bristles (30) on a cleaner (10) are formed of arubber material. Bristles (30) may all be substantially the same length,as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, or may have differentlengths. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the bristles (130) may beconfigured to collectively form an angled edge. Still other alternativematerials and configurations for bristles (30) will be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art. It will also be appreciated that bristles(30) may be secured to bristle base (25) in any suitable fashion.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, handle portion (20) is generallycylindraceous. Handle portion (20) may be formed of a plastic, metal, orany other suitable material, including combinations of materials. Grip(12) may be formed of a rubber material or any other suitablematerial(s). In the illustrated version, grip (12) comprises a pluralityof protrusions (14) configured to facilitate gripping of the same.Alternatively, a grip may comprise other features such as recesses,ridges, knurling, etc., or no such features at all.

As shown in FIG. 1, end portion (16) is provided on the proximal end(24) of handle portion (20). In this example, end portion (16) includesattachment structure (18). Attachment structure (18) may be configuredto allow cleaner (10) to be attached to an accessory (70). As shown inFIG. 1, accessory (70) comprises a key chain. However, accessory (70)may comprise a belt loop, wallet, purse, cellular phone, PDA, portableelectronic device, or any other suitable device. Of course, as withother components described herein, such components are merely optional,and may be substituted, supplemented, or omitted as desired.

As shown in FIG. 1, cleaner (10) has a diameter that is less than thediameter of can (102). Accordingly, in an exemplary use, cleaner (10) ismoved in an orbital motion, with bristles (30) engaged with top (100) ofcan (102) to remove debris and otherwise clean top (100). Alternatively,cleaner (10) may have a diameter that is greater than or equal to thediameter of can (102), such that cleaner (10) is simply rotated about anaxis in common with can (102), with bristles (30) engaged with top (100)to remove debris and otherwise clean top (100). Still other suitableconfigurations of cleaner (10) relative to can (102), and other suitablemethods of using cleaner (10), will be apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art.

In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the grip (12) is configured toreciprocate relative to the bristles (30) and the handle portion (20).In this embodiment, the grip may be used to selectively cover anduncover at least a portion of bristles (30), thereby providing somedegree of protection to the bristles (30).

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment, wherein a cleaner (210) comprisesa handle portion (220), a bristle base (225), bristles (230), and aremovable cap (250). Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, handleportion (220) comprises a grip (212), an end portion (216), and anattachment structure (218). In the illustrated version, removable cap(250) may be selectively secured relative to the distal end (222) ofhandle portion (220) to cover and uncover bristles (230). For instance,cap (250) may have a length that is greater than the length to whichbristles (230) extend from handle portion (220).

In yet another embodiment, shown in FIG. 5, handle portion (320) isconfigured such that bristle base (325) and bristles (330) may beselectively retracted therein. In this example, cleaner (310) alsocomprises a removable cap (350) configured to be secured relative to thedistal end (322) and protect bristles (330) upon retraction of bristles(330) within handle portion (320). In other embodiments, including butnot limited to those where bristles (330) may be retracted within handleportion (320), cap (350) may be omitted. It will also be appreciatedthat any suitable mechanisms may be used to retract bristles (330)within handle portion (320). By way of example only, such mechanisms mayinclude a worm gear, a spring-loaded mechanism, one or more cammingmembers, a ratchet mechanism, one or more sliders, etc.

FIG. 6 shows another merely exemplary embodiment. In the illustratedversion, cleaner (410) comprises a screw mechanism (480) configured toallow a user to retract bristle base (425) and bristles (430) intohandle portion (420) by gripping a first portion of handle portion (420)and twisting a second portion of handle portion (420). For instance,with the present example, a user may retract bristle base (425) andbristles (430) by gripping grip (412) and twisting end portion (416).

An alternate embodiment of a cleaner with retractable bristles is shownin FIG. 7. In this example, a cleaner (510) comprises a slide mechanism(580) configured to allow a user to retract bristle base (525) andbristles (530) into handle portion (520). As shown, slide mechanism(580) comprises a projection (582) and a connecting member (584). In theillustrated version, connecting member (584) connects projection (582)to bristle base (525). A user may expose or retract bristles (530) bygrasping projection (582) and sliding bristle base (525) forward orbackward as desired. The sidewall of handle portion (520) may include aslot (not shown) or other feature to permit such movement of projection(582) and connecting member (584). One or more detents (not shown),locking mechanisms (not shown), or other features may also be providedin order to removably secure the longitudinal position of projection(582) and connecting member (584) along handle portion (520). Forinstance, an underside of projection (582) may have one or moreprotrusions extending therefrom, configured to engage complimentaryrecess features formed in the sidewall of handle portion. Such featuresmay be configured to resist axial forces encountered by bristles (530)during use of cleaner (510) to clean a top (100) of can (102), whilepermitting retraction of bristles (530) into handle portion (520) undersufficient urging by a user. Other ways in which such features may beprovided will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 8 depicts another embodiment of a cleaner with retractablebristles. As shown, a cleaner (610) comprises a spring mechanism (680)configured to allow a user to retract bristle base (625) and bristles(630) into handle portion (620). In this example, spring mechanism (680)comprises a coil spring (682), although any other suitable resilientmaterial or structure may be used, and a button (684). Button (684) isconfigured to selectively engage and disengage bristle base (625) whenbutton (682) is depressed by a user, while coil spring (682) isconfigured to urge bristle base (625) and bristles (625) outward oncebutton (684) disengages bristle base (625).

In another embodiment (not shown), a sheath is provided, in which theentire cleaner may be inserted and held. Still other ways in which atleast a portion of bristles may be selectively covered/uncovered orhidden/revealed will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

In other embodiments (not shown), the bristles are operable to moverelative to the handle portion in a rotating or oscillating fashion. Forinstance, one or more motors (not shown) may be provided within handleportion. Such motor(s) may rotate the bristles collectively,individually, in sets, etc. Alternatively, a spring (not shown), otherresilient member, or other mechanism may be provided such that a usermay twist and release a first portion of handle portion while gripping asecond portion of handle portion, whereupon bristles will rotate (e.g.,even less than a full 360° rotation) or oscillate for a period of time.Alternatively, any other means, mechanisms, or features for providingrotating or oscillating movement of bristles relative to handle portionmay be used.

In still another embodiment (not shown), a mechanism (e.g., a motor,etc.) is operable to vibrate bristles. Suitable mechanisms or featuresto provide such vibration will be apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art. It will also be appreciated that bristles may be configured torotate, oscillate, vibrate, and/or reciprocate, or some combinationthereof, in addition to engaging in other forms of motion.

In yet other embodiments, such as the ones shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, acleaning agent is provided in the cleaner. Such a cleaning agent maycomprise any suitable substance, including but not limited to soaps,sanitizers, chlorine, ethyl alcohol, saline, water, etc.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a cleaner (710) comprises a handleportion (720), a bristle base (725) and bristles (730). In this example,the interior of handle portion (720) comprises a reservoir (780) holdingcleaning agent (790). One or more channels (782) may be provided betweenreservoir (780) and bristle base (725) to permit distribution of thecleaning agent (790) to bristles (730). A valve or other feature (notshown) may be provided to prevent inadvertent leakage of cleaning agent(790). By way of example only, handle portion (720) may be configuredsuch that cleaning agent (790) may be distributed from the reservoir tobristles (730) by a user squeezing handle portion (720), by a userrotating grip (712), by a user rotating end portion (716), by a useractuating a button (not shown) or other feature, or in any othersuitable fashion. Still other suitable features for storing anddistributing a cleaning agent from and/or within a cleaner (e.g., tobristles (730) or otherwise) will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art.

As shown in FIG. 10, a cleaner (810) comprises a handle portion (820), abristle base (825) and bristles (830). In this example, bristles (830)have varying lengths and are shaped to form an edge to facilitatecleaning of debris from crevices. In addition, in the illustratedversion, the interior of handle portion (820) comprises a reservoir(880) holding cleaning agent (890). This embodiment also comprises achannel (882) communicating with reservoir (880) and a spout (895)configured to distribute cleaning agent (890) to bristles (830). Cleaner810 may be configured to allow distribution of cleaning agent (890) viaany of the methods and devices described above with regard to theembodiment shown in FIG. 9 or in any other suitable way.

In some embodiments (not shown) where a cleaning agent reservoir isprovided within handle portion, handle portion may also comprise a port(not shown) for refilling the reservoir. In still other embodiments, acleaning agent is provided in a replaceable cartridge (not shown) orother feature.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, a cleaner (910) comprises a cleaningmember (940), which is provided near bristles (930). Cleaning member(940) may comprise a generally soft material (e.g., rubber, a foam,etc.), and may have a slanted, edge-like configuration. In this examplecleaning member (940) extends from bristle base (925) and is positionedwithin bristles (930). In other embodiments, cleaning member (940) ispositioned about or external to bristles (930). Other suitableconfigurations for a cleaning member (940) will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art. It will also be appreciated that cleaningmember (940) may assist bristles (930) in removing contaminants ordebris from a container, such as from the top (100) of the can (102)shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 illustrates another alternate embodiment. In FIG. 12, a cleaner(1010) comprises a handle portion (1020), a cleaning member (1040) and aremovable cap (1050). In this embodiment, the cleaning member (1040) isconfigured to remove contaminants or debris from a container without theaid of bristles, as described in other embodiments. In the illustratedversion, the interior of handle portion (1020) comprises a reservoir(1080) configured to hold a cleaning agent (1090). Cleaning member(1040) and handle portion (1020) further comprise a channel (1082) incommunication with reservoir (1080) configured to enable delivery ofcleaning agent (1090) to a front surface (1042) of cleaning member(1040). It will be appreciated that alternate embodiments of a cleanermay comprise a cleaning member, such as the one shown in FIG. 12,without including a cleaning agent or means for distribution thereof.Furthermore, embodiments having a cleaning member may include bristlesthat extend from the cleaning member; bristles that extend from withinthe cleaning member (e.g., the cleaning member surrounds the bristles);bristles that are external to the cleaning member (e.g., the bristlessurround the cleaning member); any other suitable relationship,arrangement; or configurations of bristles relative to a cleaningmember, or no bristles at all.

Yet another alternate embodiment is shown in FIG. 13. In this example, acleaner (1110) comprises a housing (1120) configured to contain bristles(1130). Bristles (1130) may be stationary within housing (1120). In theillustrated version, housing (1120) comprises an opening (1122) and adoor (not shown) configured to selectively cover opening (1122). In thisembodiment, the door is configured to slidably retract within housing(1120) in order to expose bristles (1130). As shown in FIG. 13, housing(1120) also comprises a raised latch (1124) configured to secure thedoor in a closed position, thereby protecting bristles (1130). The widthof the door may be greater than the width of a standard soft drinkcontainer, or any other suitable container, thereby allowing a user toremove contaminants and debris from the top of the container when thedoor is open and the bristles (1130) are exposed.

It will therefore be appreciated that, to the extent that bristles areused, bristles may extend longitudinally outward from a handle portion,laterally outward from a handle portion (e.g., radially outward), or inany other suitable configuration.

Embodiments of the present invention (not shown) may also compriseutility features, in addition to bristles and/or a cleaning member. Forexample, a cleaner may include a standard bottle opener, such as thosewell known within the art, integral with the handle portion. In anotherembodiment, the handle portion of a cleaner may include a structureconfigured to facilitate the opening of a standard pull-tab can, such asthose used for soft drinks. In one such embodiment, the tab-openingstructure comprises a triangular shaped wedge configured to be urgedbetween a can top and a tab, thereby facilitating opening of thecontainer. In an alternate embodiment, the tab-opening structurecomprises a slot in the handle portion configured to allow a user toinsert the tab of a can into the slot, thereby providing additionalleverage to facilitate lifting of the tab and opening of the container.Other suitable features for facilitating the opening of a container willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

It will also be appreciated that some embodiments may include at leastone removable and/or replaceable component. By way of example only,bristles and/or a cleaning member may be removable and/or replaceable insome fashion. For instance, in some embodiments (not depicted) a bristlebase, with bristles extending therefrom, may be “snap fit” into a handleportion, and may be removable therefrom. Thus, if bristles become wornor dirty, etc., a user may remove the base that the undesirable bristlesextend from, relative to the handle portion, and “snap” a new bristlebase into the handle portion, with new bristles extending therefrom.Similar features and techniques may be used for a cleaning member thatis provided with or in lieu of bristles. In other embodiments, a handleportion (or other portion) may house a plurality of bristle bases orcleaning members. A replacement bristle base (with replacement bristlesextending therefrom) and/or a cleaning member may thus be immediatelyavailable for replacing a used bristle base (with used bristlesextending therefrom) or used cleaning member. Furthermore, such areplacement bristle base and/or cleaning member may be spring-loaded,otherwise resiliently loaded or biased, or otherwise configured, suchthat a user merely has to remove a used set of bristles or cleaningmember from the handle portion, and a replacement set of bristles orcleaning member “pops out,” gets pulled out, or otherwise appears, totake the place of the used bristles or cleaning member. It will beappreciated that this may be accomplished using a variety of structures,configurations, or techniques. Another merely illustrative example of acomponent that may be removable and/or replaceable may include areservoir that contains a cleaning agent, to the extent that a cleaningagent is used. Other ways in which bristles, a cleaning member, and orany other component may be replaceable in any suitable fashion will beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Having shown and described various embodiments of the present invention,further adaptations of the methods and systems described herein may beaccomplished by appropriate modifications by one of ordinary skill inthe art without departing from the scope of the present invention.Several of such potential modifications have been mentioned, and otherswill be apparent to those skilled in the art. For instance, theexamples, embodiments, geometrics, materials, dimensions, ratios, steps,and the like discussed above are illustrative and are not required.Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be considered interms of the following claims and is understood not to be limited to thedetails of structure and operation shown and described in thespecification and drawings.

1. A cleaning apparatus, the cleaning apparatus comprising: (a) a handleportion, wherein the handle portion is generally cylindraceous, thehandle portion comprising: (i) a first end, (ii) a second end, and (iii)a gripping region positioned between the first end and the second end;(b) a first cleaning feature, wherein the first cleaning featurecomprises a plurality of bristles, wherein the plurality of bristles areproject outwardly from the first end of the handle portion; and (c) asecond cleaning feature, wherein the second cleaning feature isconfigured to cooperate with the plurality of bristles to clean aconsumable drink or food container, wherein the second cleaning featureis integral with the handle portion; wherein the entire cleaningapparatus is sized and configured to clean a consumable drink container.2. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least part of thegripping region is configured to reciprocate relative to the pluralityof bristles to thereby selectively cover and uncover at least a portionof the plurality of bristles.
 3. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1,further comprising a removable cap, wherein the removable cap isconfigured be secured to the handle portion and cover the plurality ofbristles.
 4. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising asheath, wherein the sheath is configured to house the handle portion andthe plurality of bristles.
 5. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising an actuator operable to selectively retract the bristleswithin the handle portion to thereby house at least a portion of theplurality of bristles within the handle portion, wherein the actuatorcomprises a screw mechanism, wherein the screw mechanism is positionedwithin the handle portion and is operable to enable a user to manipulatethe bristles by gripping the gripping region and twisting the second endof the handle portion relative to the gripping region.
 6. The cleaningapparatus of claim 1, further comprising an actuator operable toselectively retract the bristles within the handle portion to therebyhouse at least a portion of the plurality of bristles within the handleportion, wherein the actuator comprises a slide mechanism, wherein theslide mechanism comprises: (i) a projection, wherein the projectionextends outside the handle portion, and (ii) a connecting member,wherein the connecting member couples the projection with the bristles,wherein the slide mechanism is operable to enable a user to manipulatethe bristles by grasping the projection and reciprocating the slidemechanism.
 7. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising anactuator operable to selectively retract the bristles within the handleportion to thereby house at least a portion of the plurality of bristleswithin the handle portion, wherein the actuator comprises a springmechanism, wherein the spring mechanism comprises: (i) a button, whereinthe button is configured to selectively engage and disengage thebristles when the button is depressed by a user, and (ii) a coil spring,wherein the coil spring is configured to urge the bristles toward thefirst end of the handle portion when the button is disengaged from thebristles.
 8. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising amotor, wherein the motor is operable to cause the bristles to rotate,oscillate, or vibrate.
 9. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a resilient member, wherein the resilient member is housedwithin the handle portion and is configured to enable a user to cause atleast a portion of the plurality of bristles to rotate or oscillate bytwisting and releasing the gripping region while gripping the second endof the handle portion.
 10. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe second cleaning feature comprises: (a) a cleaning agent; (b) areservoir, wherein the reservoir is positioned within the handle portionand contains the cleaning agent; (c) a channel, wherein the channel isin communication with the reservoir and the bristles and is configuredto enable distribution of the cleaning agent to the plurality ofbristles; and (d) a valve, wherein the valve is configured to preventthe cleaning agent from inadvertently passing through the channel. 11.The cleaning apparatus of claim 10, wherein the cleaning apparatus isconfigured to distribute the cleaning agent to the plurality of bristlesin response to a user performing at least one of the following actions:squeezing the handle portion, rotating the gripping region relative tothe second end portion, or actuating a button.
 12. The cleaningapparatus of claim 10, wherein the second cleaning feature comprises acleaning member, wherein the cleaning member is adjacent to thebristles, extends distally from the first end, and has a substantiallytriangular cross-section.
 13. The cleaning apparatus of claim 12,wherein the cleaning member comprises foam or rubber.
 14. A cleaningapparatus, the cleaning apparatus comprising: (a) a handle portion,wherein the handle portion is generally cylindraceous, the handleportion comprising: (i) a first end, (ii) a second end, and (iii) agripping region positioned between the first end and the second end; (b)a first cleaning feature, wherein the first cleaning feature comprises aplurality of bristles, wherein the plurality of bristles are projectoutwardly from the first end of the handle portion; and (c) a secondcleaning feature, wherein the second cleaning feature is configured tocooperate with the plurality of bristles to clean a consumable drink orfood container, wherein the second cleaning feature is integral with thehandle portion, wherein the second cleaning feature comprises: (i) areservoir, wherein the reservoir is located in the handle portion,wherein the reservoir contains a cleaning agent, and (ii) a channel influid communication with the reservoir, wherein the channel is furtherin fluid communication with the bristles, wherein the channel isoperable to communicate the cleaning agent to the bristles; wherein theentire cleaning apparatus is sized and configured to clean a consumabledrink container.
 15. The cleaning apparatus of claim 14, wherein thesecond cleaning feature further comprises a valve, wherein the valve isconfigured to prevent the cleaning agent from inadvertently passingthrough the channel.
 16. The cleaning apparatus of claim 14, wherein thebristles terminate at different lengths such that the bristlescollectively present an angled tip.
 17. A cleaning apparatus, whereinthe cleaning apparatus is configured to clean a consumable drink or foodcontainer, the cleaning apparatus comprising: (a) a handle portion,wherein the handle portion is generally cylindraceous, the handleportion comprising: (i) a first end, (ii) a second end, and (iii) agripping region positioned between the first end and the second end; (b)a first cleaning feature, wherein the first cleaning feature comprises aplurality of bristles, wherein the plurality of bristles are projectoutwardly from the first end of the handle portion; and (c) a secondcleaning feature, wherein the second cleaning feature is configured tocooperate with the plurality of bristles to clean a consumable drink orfood container, wherein the second cleaning feature is integral with thehandle portion, wherein the second cleaning feature comprises a soft andangled cleaning member, wherein the cleaning member is adjacent to thebristles and extends distally from the first end of the handle portion.18. The cleaning apparatus of claim 17, wherein the cleaning membercomprises rubber or foam.
 19. The cleaning apparatus of claim 17,wherein the cleaning member has a triangular cross-section.
 20. Thecleaning apparatus of claim 17, wherein the cleaning member ispositioned within the bristles.